MUMBAI: Hindustan Unilever has reiterated that rural market is yet to recover after challenging environment in the last few quarters.

At an investor presentation at Arisaig Consumer Symposium, the country''s largest consumer goods firm outlined issues for subdued consumer market including demonetization, GST and volatile commodity costs. "From an double digit growth in FMCG across urban and rural markets in 2012, the overall segment has fallen to single digit with rural lagging urban market," said Sanjiv Mehta, MD at HUL quoting research agency Nielsen in the presentation slides.

The company, however, added that it has shown a resilient performance despite these issues. HUL's had no volume growth in December quarter, which improved to 8% and 6% since the past two quarters.

"Early part of second quarter was affected by various myths in trade. But trade situation is improving gradually with wholesale channel now stabilizing," said the presentation.

Over the past fortnight, the company had similar investor presentation for CLSA and JP Morgan. The maker of rin detergent and Dove shampoo, also maintained that the company has increased its margin to 18%, a 300 basis points rise from 15% in 2010.

On Tuesday, HUL's share fell 2.3% on the BSE to close at Rs1217.5 a piece.

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